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An Indian Romance 



FKEDEKICK. WALTER. 



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SCIOTA 



An Indian Romance 



-BY- 



FREDERICK WALTER, ^"^"'y 



PUBLISHED and FOR SALE BY 

THE MACNEAL PRINTING CO. 
BALTIMORE, MD. 

PRICE - - - - $1.00 






UBflASY of CONiSRESS: 
Iwo Cooies «sc«irti« 

SEP 12 iy08 



Entered accordiny to Act of Coiiarest:, in the year 1008. by 
F. \V, St3i^MAi)P 

in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 






PREFACE. 



To the average niinci it would appear that tliere is little 
in the nature, cliaracter or Iiistory of the North American 
Indian that would inspire or suggest romantic incident or 
poetic thought; nevertheless, like all primitive peoples, 
they liave their folklore, tlieir tales and legends, wild, rude, 
and improbable as most of them are, yet if closely scanned 
and patiently analyzed a very deep and abiding sense of 
tile romantic and poetical may be extracted from their 
uncouth depths. 

The groundwork of tliis story was related to the writer 
wliile lie was recently spending a few days at an Indian 
camp in the h'ar West. 

There was nothing in tlie legend, as related, which intli- 
catcd the locality in wliich the incidents transpired, but 
the writer's admiration for tlie beautiful valley of the 
Scioto river, in tlie State of Oliio, led liim to locate the 
scene of the story in that cliarming region. 

FREDERICK WALTER. 
Baltimore, July 4, 1908. 



SCIOTA 

AN INDIAN ROMANCE 

PROLOGUE. 

LAND of the West! Imperial land! 
Thou guardian of the gates of night! 
Thy boundless plains and seas expand 
To lesser worlds, which hold the might 
Of rushing" tide and mountain crest. 

Striding in grandeur o'er thy breast! 
For — as some cosmic gathered sphere, 

Roaming the vault of Heaven, that bursts 
With fateful throes — Thou seemst to rear 

From out thyself a universe 
Of Empires, crowned with august sway 

In the broad firmament of fate, 
Whose pendant orbs in bright array, 
Revolving in planetic state — 
Around thy great parental sun. 

Whose lioJit by freedom bravely won — 
Shall on thy bosom, destined, rest 

A nation's splendor, wond'rous West! 



SCIOTA 

BOOK FIRST. 
PART I. 

WITHIX the far nnboiincled West 
Where nature's garbed in stern repose 
Or else, in softer mood is dressed 

With clinging- \ine and blooming rose- 
AA'here gleaming sands the shores adorn, 

And valleys blush with flowers rare, 
\A'ithin whose tinted folds are born 

Sweets that o'erflow the perfumed air — 

Flows softly on, with liquid song 

Re-echoed through each verdant glade. 
A lovely stream, whose banks along — 

In leafy robe, in misty shade — 
Stretch onward as in heedless race. 

With eager waves that gently pillow 
Their flashing wreaths, in soft embrace 

Of fragrant sod and drooping willow. 



Reflected in its bosom deep — 

Revealing pictures fair and bright — 
A twin world, wrapped in beauty's sleep, 

Lies revefling in the jeweled light. 
Shed by the Sun's exultant beamf — 
And sacred stars that peaceful glcam^, 
As ceaseless on their v/estward way. 
They speed to 'sca]:)e pursuing day — 



SCIOTA 

'Tis fair Sciota ! Charming- Stream ! 

L^irobing" thus its splendor 'round — 
As morninf^- breaks with rucUly beam 

O'er quickened earth and skies profound- 
'Alid happy scenes, whose pendant veil 
Of summer haze, o'er fragrant dale 
And breezy hill, harmonious flows — 
Like that soft light whose halo glows 
O'er mountain tops, the heavenly blue 
Of distant sunlight veiled in dew — 

Where broad Ohio's surging tide 

Rolls onward in eternal race. 
And calm Sciota's wavelets glide 

To sink within the rude embrace — 
Ere stranger form profaning trod. 
Unchallenged o'er the virgin sod. 
Or from the plains responsive breast — 

liy rugged toil imperious riven — 
The bounteous meed of harvest wrest, 

I'o ripen 'neath the smile of heaven. 
When wild deer, fearless, with their young 

Roamed the broad meadows, or reposing 
Beneath the oak, whose branches flung 

A world of shade, like daylight closing — 



SCIOTA 

Wandered a brave — Whose eagle plume 

Proclaimed the warrior of renown — 
Unmarked by times invading gloom, 

Unconscious yet of fortunes frown, 
But in impetuous youth and pride — 

And hardy as the swaying pine — 
Along the speeding waters side, 

He trod those woodland scenes divine. 

Majestic in his warrior guise — 

His mighty form, imposing more 
Than those dread heroes from the skies 

Who, times, the weight of battle bore 
Victorious, when injustice sought 

With all the wrongs success bestow, 
To crush the men who nobly fought, 

The battle of a generous foe — 

He came from that superior land 

Whose sons despise the plenteous ease, 
O'er gathered on the verdant strand, 

And garnered 'mid the vines and trees 
By the broad lake whose waters, sweep 

Serene around its stately shores. 
Or rolling as in restless sleep, 

Or else in sullen anger, roars 



SCIOTA 

As the Borean storm — That drives 

Tempestuous to destroying flight — 
Speeds o'er its bosom, and revives 

The elements conflicting might — 
Like giants of the olden days 

Whose warfare raged from earth to sky 
Relentless, "till the holy rays 

Shed from the wondrous gates on high. 
Bade the wide storm and turmoil cease, 
And brought the happy calm of peace — 

'Twas the fair land, — by Hurons side, — 
Whose spreading sea, whose bounding tide, 
Whose radiant scenes, inspire the braves 
Who drink the glory of its waves — 
Where dwelt the chief; his warrior fame 

O'er all the W^estern region spread, 
The nightly raid, the wigwams flame, 

The tides of blood in battle shed, 
The shriek of anguish echoing, 

The wail of fond hearts rudely torn. 
The shrill death songs that loudly ring. 

The deeds of torture mercy shorn, 
His prowess marks, and proudly tends 

To swell the plumes above his crest ; 
Likewise a garniture depends 

In scalp locks from his wampum'd breast. 



lo SCIOTA 

Xe'er had he hved in soft content. 

His joy was all in ceaseless war ; 
His ready arm unsparing lent 

Its strength to capture or restore 
A foe or friend. Who e'er entreats 

Of Huron's power to assist — 
AA'hen some superior foe defeats 

A feebler tribe — Who vain resists- 
Gains great Waconta's tireless aid 

With trenchant ax, the van to lead 
In battles carnage, fire or raid. 

In every wild vindictive deed. 
That warfare's madness justifies 

AVhen weeping mercy fettered lies. 



'Twas there, to gather fame, intent. 

He strode tar from his Northern home, 
And boldly dared the game, that lent 

Adventure 'mid the tribes that roam 
Through the dark forest's solemn deep. 

In savage vagrance void of joy, 
Whose highest aim is art to keep 

Their dupe to torture or destroy. 



SCI OTA II 

Triumphant still through fortunes aid. 

And by his valor danger 'scaped. 
In vagrant \enture still he straved. 

'J'ill fate his wandering" pathway shaped 
Southward, among the verdant glades 

(^"er decked by n.atures flowery charms, 
Where sunny plains and fragrant shades 

Invited rest in l:)eauty's arms. 
"Pwas there "mid glens and leafy aisles, 

And laughing streams that softly flows, 
AMiere moonlight dreams, and morning smiles, 

His warring instincts found repose. 




12 SCIOTA 



PART II. 

I r*^AR ill the South by fair Sciota's side, 

A Where broad prairies, decked with verdure 

rare, 
Rest Hke maternal bosoms, where abide 

The slumbering peace whose dreams, creating, are 
That nobler life, which hope beholds again 

To patriarchal dwell the flowery plain. 
Here homes are bright, and cheerful hours are spent 

In welcome toil to grow the fruitful maize. 
And all those duties savage arts invent 

Are pleasures that engross the speeding days. 

Here love delights with loving ones to roam 
Beneath the star light in the dewy eve. 

While far above, the vast mysterious dome 
Enshrines the faith their simple minds believe. 



SCIOTA 13 

It is a clime, where Southern summers reign, 
And mellow autumn yields its fruit mature, 
Where the mild winter aids the hunters gain, 

And spring entrances with its budding lure ; 
Where mornings sun, grants to adoring light 
The lusty smiles that ravished days invite, 
And evenings witchery wooing nights repose 
In dells nepenthine, where the dew born rose 
Distilling its sweet soul, in suppliant prayer, 
Makes seem celestial the caressing air. 

Here ages gone the red man built his shrine. 

His tribe to shelter, and his faith to hold — 
Like olden trees that spread their arms benign, 

Or those protecting spirits that enfold 
Their chosen ones within their smiles, to keep 

From famines ills, or from the foemans raid. 
Who times, within the gentle hours of sleep. 

Their tortures threaten and their arms invade — 
Here dwelt the grand old warrior tribe — whose name 

For justice honored, and for valor feared — 
Whose peaceful arts, whose ancient warlike fame, 

Their arms protected ; whilst their rule endeared 
To all, who in this happy region dwelt, 
Who righteous lived and to Manitou knelt. 



14 SCIOTA 

Muskingum sturdy as the mighty hills — 

That far beA'ond the dim horizon rise — 
The offsprings of that hero band, whose wills 

Moved by bright spirits from the gazing skies. 
From the far West, from some mysterious land 

That memory ne'er can summon from the past- 
\\"rapped in the pride of legends old and grand — 

Came, and resolved their destinies to cast 
In this bright spot, to be their final home, 
To dwell contented and no more to roam. 

Long time in peace they lived, no foeman dared 
To wake the vengeance of their watchful power, 

Their weapons ready, and their braves prepared, 
They lived secure, and long delayed the hour. 

When war in all its dread aspect became. 

A scene of horror and the home of flame. 

At length a band of raiders from the shore, — 

Where Huron's lake its limpid charms extend — 
I'^pon Muskingum's borders fiercely pour, 

Its peace to shatter and its joys to rend. 
Keen was the battle 'twixt the furious braves. 

And long the contest urged by hate prevailed. 
Till 'o'er the plain was spread unnumbered graves. 

And countless souls each raging tribe bewailed. 



SCIOTA 15 

Muskingum's God protected, powers succeed. 
Whilst Huron's captured braves in torture bleed. 
And ever since, black hate supreme, commands 
The chasm 'twixt these mighty warrior bands. 

For glad ! ^fuskingum's valiant sons would bleed, 

From their brave hearts, the last drop on the fane. 
Of that dear land, ere should prevail the deed 

That brings a Huron foe's invading stain. 
Triumphantl}' ! Beyond all fear, they held 

Their homes secure in freedoms guarding light. 
The errant brave that tempting war impelled, 

Came but to death, or worse, polluting flight. 



PART III. 

T~y VT now behold ! A Huron trod 
-■-^ L'nchallenged on Muskingum's sod ! 
W'aconta came, with wild desire, 
To spread the land with death and fire. 
Fearless ! Alone ! Disdaining all 

That led to rest or pleasures state, 
Content to live, content to fall, 

If but Muskingum felt his hate. 



i6 SCIOTA 

But never can a mind foretell 

The measures prompting fates decree, 

What features guide, what arts impel 
The being to his destiny. 



One eve, — 'tw^as when the softened shade 
Of twilight o'er the heavens strayed, 
When woodlands melt in odors rare, 
And silent flows the perfumed tear 
That nature sheds with parting day — 
He saw — enraptured 'neath the ray, — 
A light of beauty beam afar. 
Fair as the tinted evening star 
That glows upon the Western sky — 
A lovely maid, to his fond eye 

W^ith grace beyond all earthly measure, 
Amid a happy band, that vie 

In bounding maze of guileless pleasure. 



Unseen he gazed, and gazing found 
New joys revealed, new charms abound 
In every change that brightly came 
On that sweet face. A holy aim 



SCIOTA 17 

To his impassioned gaze appeared 
In every gentle smile — that stirred 
His throbbing breast with love intense — 
Upon that face of innocence. 



Meanwhile in musics pleasing thrall — 
That lingered o'er the sunny glade 

Like some bright Peri's heavenly call — 
Thus sweetly sang Muskingum's maid. 



O ! hours intense 

With loves suspense, 
Fraught ever with hopes recompense, 

That constant, through 

Bright visions, drew 
To mem'ry loves fond tale anew. 



Impassioned starts 

Our throbbing hearts 
With new born impulse, that imparts 

A higher joy, 

Beyond alloy 
Of pains or sorrows that destroy. 



i8 SCIOTA 

And thus until 

We idly fill 
The passing scenes that course and thrill, 

With pleasured thought, 

Inconstant taught 
By dreaming joys inconstant sought; 

'Tis sweet to sigh, 

And languid lie 
Enraptured 'neath the smiling sky, 

In loves suspense 

With hope intense 
To wait the hearts fond recompense. 

Thus pleasure sped 

And moments fled — 
Which loves impassioned hours span'd — 

In misty dells 

Whose fragrance tells 
The glowing beauty of our land ; 

While all about 

The forests shout 
Resounded through broad natures hall ; 

And through bright days 

Responding lays 
Drew music from the mockers call. 



SCIOTA 19 

Until the light 

In vagrant flight 
Turned happy day to solemn night, 

Where stars shone dim 

In silent hymn, 
That reverent filled the circling rim. 



And so content, 

(3ur hopes invent 
New scenes, new joys, their treasures lent 

To speeding years, 

Whose hallowed tears 
Sheds incense o'er our passing biers. 



At once his heart was all aflame, 

At once forgetting country, fame, 

And all the legendary past. 

His soul went forth, his hopes were cast 

It seem'd upon a magic shrine. 

So new the sense, so vast the mine 

Of wondrous joy, far, far above 

All other joys ; 'twas love, fond love 

That plead the hearts ecstatic prayer. 

And set the gem of virtue there. 



20 SCIOTA 

PART IV. 

T~> UT Ah ! The pang reflection brings, 

■*—^ To know that she, a foemans child — 
Whose image to my memory cHngs 

Like some sweet spirit, that beguiled 
The aching heart to that content 
Which comes when wayward souls repent — 
Must know a Huron's hand is dyed 

With the proud blood, unjustly shed, 
When her dear people, peace denied, 

Their hearts libations freely bled ; 
Can She — beholding all the wrong 

By Huron wrought, the crushing grief 
That such unholy wars prolong — 

Give one kind thought to Huron's chief?" 

"Alas ! 'tis hopeless to expect — 

For virtue is supremely just — 
Forgiveness for the hand that wrecked — 

Unpitying 'mid the battle lust — 
The few fond joys that life contains 
For innocence that dwell the plains. 
And yet a brave should not despair, 

A Huron knows nor fears defeat, 
A love like mine, no thought should dare 

To its fond purpose bid retreat. 



SCIOTA 21 

Perhaps some fonder brave has heard 

The hquid magic of her voice, 
Perhaps some nobler soul has stirred 

Her heart to sweet affection's choice. 
Away such fears ! Undaunted will 

1 shape the ends that yield me joy, 
Brave all Muskingum's power, until 

Love conquers, or the fates destroy." 
And She — Who thus unconscious gave 
A heaven to bless the Huron brave — 
She was a love light on the brow 

Of time that guides to holy peace, 
A jewel won from heaven, that now 

Dwells the rude earth, to give release 
To virtues, which beneath the crust 

Of some stern breast, when brought to light. 
Springs roughly from the veiling dust, 

And sheds their beauty pure and bright — 



The daughter of Muskingum's chief, 
The master form of that proud band. 

The arbiter whose dictates brief 

Gives law to rule his cherished land. 



22 SCIOTA 

Stern as the darkening thunder clouds 

The shrieking tempest sullen crowns, 
His gloomy brow, unyielding, shrouds 

His dreaded will, and save the frowns, 
That gather with the lightning gleams 

That flashes from his eagle gaze, 
No portent of his measures beams 

Revealing from the hidden blaze. 

His mighty arm. that often turned 

Destruction to the battling foe, 
Dealt to the brave, that daring, earned 

His hate, the final act of woe. 
But greater far his fury grew. 

When that cursed name, at times was spoken, 
Which from the Huron waters drew 

Its tide of glory, yet unbroken 
By all Muskingum's utmost might 
In raiding arts or gallant fight. 

His passion like a raging flood — 

Deadlier as its volume grows — 
Sees naught to recompense but blood, 

When some indignant warrior throws 



SCIOTA 23 



The gauntlet to oppressions rage, 
To seek the right, to dare the gage. 
And yet a patriots soul was his ! 

Persistent for his peoples right 
He sought the path, whose progress is 

For welfare, and the generous light 
To beam in those progressive aisles 
That guide the land to plenty's smiles. 



And yet his gloomy brow to one 

Unbends ! When in his mighty arms, 
His dear child sees the pity won 

Through her fond loves caressing charms ; 
She knows some wretched soul may yet, 
In freedom all his woes forget — 
Like some sweet Nymph's creating dream 

That woos the gentle winds and showers, 
With sunlight's glow, and lightnings gleam 

And weaves them into fragrant flowers — 
So, often she had pleading, wrest 

Forgiveness through her loving art. 
Turned the dark aims that throned his breast, 

And bade awaiting death depart ; 



24 SCIOTA 

At times some captives bonds were rent, 

And mercy gained its holy cause, 
Through her sweet prayers, Hke angels sent 

To beg resenting justice pause. 
Ah sweet Floreta ! Fair as light 

Of the young morn', from heaven flowing ; 
Thine eyes amid the silent night 

Illumed the shade like twin stars glowing, 
And in the glory of thy smile 

An angel birth seemed just awaking, 
Whom loves soft glamour did beguile 

To barter bliss in thus partaking. 



PART V. 

^ I "VHE stars from out their vesper dream 

-■- Aroused, desert Sciota's stream ! 
Far in the East a tint of grey 
Crowns the young brow of waking day ! 
Along the sky the Sun God threw 
Caressing smiles of rosy hue ! 
And upward to the zenith strays 
Alternate shafts of cloud and rays ; 



SCIOTA 25 

While far above floats shreds of light, 

Driving the dull reluctant night 

To the dark West, where throned afar 

Rests radiantly the morning star. 

The Eastern sky in gold and blue 

With tinted shafts of light bestrew 

The heavens ; while the hills around 

Are crowned with light, their vales profound 

In shadow rests ; and now the scene 

Seems waking from a couch of green. 

Thus morn's celestial splendors rest 

Like gems adorning natures breast. 



The meadow larks high song invites 
The maiden band to matin rites ! 
With gleeful steps they stray 'mid gems 
Of pendant dew drops, gracing stems 
Of emerald spray, whose glinting light 
In days soft youth seemed doubly bright. 



26 SCIOTA 

Far floating on the rippling tide 

They saw a wreath of wild flowers, blending 
Their brilliant hues, and slowly glide 

'Mid eager waves, that seem'd contending, 
In playful strife, to kiss the mass 
Of tinted beauty. As they pass 
Each maid with anxious footsteps try 
To climb a jutting rock hard by, 
And from the vantage station, wrest 
The wreath from calm Sciota's breast. 



Floreta's active steps assail 

The treacherous steep, and first to scale, 

While reaching forth the flowers to save 

She fell ! She sank beneath the wave ! 

Shriek after shriek of wild despair 

Rang out upon the fragrant air ! 

But hark ! An answering shout is heard, 

And from the forest depths appeared 

A warrior form, whose footsteps vied. 

In speed, the winds unmeasured stride. 



SCIOTA 27 

'Twas but a moment, on the verge 
Of the vast rock, above the surge 
He paused, to see the wavelets curl 
And mark the spot where fell the girl, 
Then quick as lightning from the clouds, 

Resistless in the tempest flashing, 
He cleft the wave that beauty shrouds, 

And 'neath its bosom fearless dashing, 
Rose like some God of ocean birth 
And bore the rescued maid to earth. 

Scarce had Waconta bravely gained 
The wooded bank, than 'round him rained 
From countless tongues, such vengeful yells, 
It seem'd the echoing voice of hells 
Unhallowed host had thus gained vent. 
While threatening hands with weapons, rent 
The circling air about his head ; 
Soon had his fearless bosom shed 
Its hero tide, beneath the hail 



28 SCIOTA 

Of arrow barbs ; soon had the wail 

Of coming death been bravely sung, 

Had not the maid, in terror clung 

With frenzied cries about his breast. 

"Back ! Back ! she shrieked, cease warriors, lest 

Thou carest to meet Kalenko's blade ; 

Know that my life ere now were fled, 
And I beneath these waters laid, 

Had not some guardian spirit led 
This gallant Huron to my aid." 

"Cowards ! by numbers valiant grown, 
Wouldst dare to strike the noble down? 

Wouldst dare such cowardice to own 
And meet Kalenko's angered frown? 

Back! let my sire in judgment stand. 

Let justice rule through his command!" 

"Bright flower, Muskingum's cherished pride, 
But for thy prayer, ere this had died 
That hound from Huron's cursed abode ; 
Ere, this, on deaths revolting road 



SCIOTA 29 

His traitor soul had sped its way 

But for thy wish ; thus we obey 

Thy loved command. Now bind the chief, 

His future life on earth, though brief, 

Shall such remorseless torture greet, 

That hells uncertain pangs were sweet 

Beside our wrath. Kalenko's voice 

His fate shall name, and his the choice 

Of lingering death" — Thus sternly said 

The Chief Shananket, he who led 

Muskingum in each desperate scheme. 

Whose plot by day, whose nightly dream 

Was murder in its direst hue ; 

WHiose every inspiration, drew 

Its torrid food from festering hate 

Of mercy's cause. Whose heart — elate 

With mocking joy when torment claimed 

Its shuddering prey, or madly flamed 

The pyre that wrapped some tortured breast — 

'Till now in its dark cell repressed, 



30 SCIOTA 

Beheld misfortune, grim, requite 
His labored schemes, beheld the night 
Of disappointment fall, and shroud 
His hope, that 'mid the pleading crowd 
Of eager swains, that he alone 
Floreta's loving heart would gain, 

Thus armed, to grasp Muskingum's throne, 
And o'er Sciota's splendors reign. 

His eyes reveal the baleful glow 

Of love despised, and raging now, 
He saw the tide, impulsive flow 

And mantle o'er her virgin brow, 
Whose language, more than words, impart 
The inmost secrets of the heart. 

PART VI. 

yi BROAD, the olden trees majestic flung 
-^-^ Their wide parental arms, whence graceful 

hung 
The sprays and vines enrobed in living green ; 
Around, the grove disclosed a peaceful scene ; 
The tangle of the virgin wood was cleared, 
And all about Muskingum's homes were reared ; 
Here elders sit in evenings tranquil hour ; 
\ Here dwells the chief, whose long descended power 



SCIOTA 31 

Rules the great tribe : and here in council state 

The delegated chieftains calmly wait 

The fire ignited by the prophets flame, 

Whose holy light inspires the lofty aim 

To teach and guide Muskingum's stately course, 

And give the nation the resulting force 

Of well considered ends, for here is found 

Such wisdom as in savage breasts abound ; 

Here history's wrought in that inspiring game 

That built the glory of Muskingum's name. 

Circled around, each brow was gravely set 

In studious thought, while passed the calumet 

From lip to lip, its mental miraged haze 

Floats softly o'er the councils fragrant blaze ; 

And through the curling wreaths is visioned clear, 

What wisdom seeks, what warrior arms may dare. 

Meanwhile in silence waits the somber band 
For great Kalenko's well resolved command. 

At length his voice in tones like thunder, deep. 
That o'er the distant heavens rolling, sweep 
In chords affrighting, bade the braves that wait 
Bring forth the Huron, that avenging fate 
May wrong redress. The chief securely bound 
Stood at the bar. where justice reigns profound. 



32 SCIOTA 

"Huron, thou earnest amid the gloom of night, 
A spy dishonored, a craven too despite 
Thy lying plumes, to stealthy consummate 
The deeds that fiends alone would emulate. 
Thou dared profane the sacred homes, that we 
From foul invasion, kept supremely free 
For ages long ; and too thou'd dare to wreak 
Thy creeping warfare on the old, the weak, 
And those beloved ones whose one defense 
Was not their valor, but their innocence." 

"Thou unprovoked hath done these wrongs, and I 
Tell thee our laws demand that thou shalt die. 
Yet as thou haply didst unselfish save. 

The fairest noblest of Muskingum's daughters, 
From that most dreaded fate an unmarked grave, 

Unhallowed, 'neath Sciota's sorrowing waters. 
Thy story shall be calmly heard, yet brief 
Must be thy words, and dare not hope relief 
From captive fate. Our honored council will 
With justice strict their righteous task fulfill." 
Thus spake Kalenko ! and replied the chief 
With fearless mien, and language bold and brief. 



SCIOTA 33 

"Great chief! Thy power holds naught for me 

That bids me fear ; nor can there be 

In all thy tribes destroying might 

Aught, which can turn my soul from right. 

I came not as a spy to wreak 

A cowards arms upon the weak ; 

Or in the glooms enfolding hour 

To stealthy dare thy kingly power, 

But as a brave, inviting brave 

To combat for an honored grave, 

The prize ! The victors generous claim 

To live in glowing legend fame." 



"While wandering through thy fragrant groves 
Where angels dwell, where beauty roves, 
I saw the maid whose heavenly charms 
Enthralled my soul, whose glance disarms," 



34 SCIOTA 

"Hate even in the mad embrace 

Of insane rage. One joyous smile 
Illuming that celestial face, 

Would vengeance from its aims beguile. 
And guide it to repentant grace. 
Then from my breast did every thought 

Depart with fames eternal dream, 
And save the sense which honor taught, 

Love reigned within my heart supreme. 



Kalenko now thou knowest all 

The emprise dared within thy state, 

My soul's content, nor dreads to fall, 
Thy judgment I impatient wait." 



The calumet again passed silent round 
The group of patient chiefs. In thought profound 
Each furrowed somber brow was deeply stirred, 
And whispering with jestures rude conferred. 
And now Kalenko begged each thoughtful chief 
His judgment to relate, in language brief. 



SCIOTA 35 

Yet in such truthful eloquence, that all 
May know 'tis justice that demands the fall, 
Or grants respite awhile to Huron's brave — 
Who treads the margin of a waiting grave — 
At length Kalenko's voice spoke the decree 
Which gave the Huron death or liberty. 



Chieftain, he said, Muskingum's distant birth 

Was in a wondrous land, 'twas thence we came, 
To peaceful rear upon the bounteous earth 

A noble people and an honored name. 
But not through me shall glowing history sound 

Its stirring voice, but by our prophets tongue. 
In rythmic measures that may well astound, 

Our nations trials and triumphs shall be sung; 
That thou mayst see and justly prize, how great 

It is, to be adopted by our state. 



"Then said the prophet bent and hoary, 

Huron thou shalt hear the story 

Of Heavens wrath, Muskingum's glory." 



36 SCIOTA 

PART VII. 

I ^ROM Apalatchias orient chain 

^ To far Dakota's snow clad mountains, 

Reposed uncleft a sun bright plain 

Kept ever green by constant fountains. 
The earths increase of fruited maize 

Our wigwams filled to overflowing; 
In pleasured concourse passed the days, 

The nights, in happy dreams bestowing. 
The speeding chase, its well earned spoil 
Reward well the hunters toil. 
When bisons roamed in herded mass. 
And watchful browsed the waving grass. 

Thus Heaven bestowed its bounteous cheer, 
And peaceful life, bereft to fear 
Passed happy on. Until at length 
A savage horde in countless strength, 
Scaling the Northern Mountains, came 

From some dark land, whose icy steeps 
Untouched by the inspiring flame, 

That in full measured splendor, leaps 
From Heavens bright shield. A shivering hell- 
Where but misshapen natures dwell — 
Where Unalaska's gibbering Gnomes 
Are the guardian demons of their homes. 



SCIOTA 37 

O'er the bright plains their legions raged ! 

And with revolting torture, waged 

A strife that more destructive grew, 

As our devoted warriors threw 

Their lives, their treasures in the breach. 

No arm could stem, no force could reach 

The vitals of their savage power ; 

Our arrow barbs in endless shower 

Remorseless sought the crowding horde, — 

But like the storm clouds driving rain, 
Destructive as it stintless poured, 
When ceased, a hardy scene restored 
That teemed with sturdy life again — 

Thus their resistless legions pressed 
Our lessening sons, and daily wrest 
From our fond home some fair estate ; 
While new misfortune seem'd to wait 
Our every effort, to oppose 
The emprise of our savage foes. 

Thus was our valor doomed to fail, 
Before that reeking human gale. 

There yet remained a last appeal 

For penitential hearts to make, 
'Twas justice should its ends reveal. 

And its celestial power awake ; 
Then from high Heavens unclouded plain, 

Our prophets wooed with sacred prayer, 
The vestal ray. to light our fane 

And yield expectant blessings there. 



38 SCIOTA 

Quick, in a flash of blinding" flame 
The holy fire responding came. 

Then kneeling 'round the fane we gave, 

Sadly, our prayers to pitying Heaven, 
To spare us a dishonored grave. 

And give to us the holy leaven 
Of hope renewed, again to rise — 

In some fair scene to crime unknown. 
Beneath the charm of smiling skies — 

And build anew Muskingum's throne. 

Heaven heard our prayer, became our guide 
To homes where flows Sciota's tide. 



PART VIII. 

BUT justice from its dread celestial height, 
Beheld the wrong imposed by impious might, 
Condemned the horde, a fated judgment reap. 
To ever more in death's abyss to sleep. 

Manitou, glorious ! from his throne enveiled 
Bv storm rent clouds, stretched forth his sceptered 
hand. 
With thunders crash, and lightning bolt, assailed 
The quaking stretches of our stolen land. 

And from the depths, where prisoned waters 
course 
Tn angry riot, loosed their waiting wrath. 

Resistless in a vast unguided force, 
They ploughed along the earth an awful path. 



SCIOTA 39 

The heavens wept, the skies were rent in twain ; 
The wind ghosts howled a frenzied revelry. 

And where smiled plenty o'er a bounteous plain, 
Now raged a storm wracked, wide, engulfing sea. 

Chaos ruled triumphant, o'er the grave 
Of all that sunlit beauty gave to life ! 

And seem'd, as towering wave combatted wave. 
The prelude of a world destroying strife. 



The seasons passed and seasons grew again, 
And yet the murky waves o'erflowed the plain. 
The tireless sun, in unseen volume, drew 
The sullen waters to the arching blue, 
And gather'd there, a cloud o'erflowing brood, 
Gave to the thirsty lands reviving food. 



So endless time again its scenes repeat. 

Of Legends past, which memories faintly tell 
Of that heroic age when warrior feet, 

Migrating, trod the lands of Asphodel. 
'Neath tattered banners of a starving horde 

From throttled Ind, and Chian's barren steeps,- 
Seeking expectant, fruitage, generous stored 

In bursting garners, wealth and labor reaps — 
To the far East, where earth and heaven blend, 

Their lagging steps drew onward in despair. 
Never to reach the far retreating end 

Which like a mirage faded on the air. 



40 SCIOTA 

Still on they pressed upon the toilsome way, 

Where wandering tribes their futile might oppose, 
Who battled bravely in a moment's fray 

And falling, met pale deaths exulting woes. 
Onward still ! 'Till reached the distant verge 

They paused dejected on a rock crowned brink — 
Then like the shrieking sea birds fatal dirge — 

They voice their sorrows, as they fearful shrink 
The vast waves rolling on the barren shore, 

The storm clouds speeding o'er the angry main, 
And curse the fate whose lure, derisive bore, 

Their faltering ranks to deaths revolting reign. 



But now the leader, — whose triumphant arms 

Led them to victory on the desperate path, 
Beheld the ocean gemmed with island charms. 

Beheld the fading of the tempests wrath — 

With stirring song — 

Which skies prolong 

In echoes o'er the listening throng — 
While pointing to the isles that ranged afar. 

Like steps to reach a distant paradise. 
Reviving all with hopes inspiring star — 

Revealed the story of the waiting prize. 



SCIOTA 41 

"The missiles vast, by unclean spirits hurled 

With giant arms, in that profane assault — 
Were mountains, wrest from out the quaking 
world — 

To wreck the portals of the heavenly vault. 
But Gods supreme, in their eternal power 

Cast back the weapons to astounded earth, 
There, in repose they drank the sunny hour, 

And grew to splendor in a verdant birth." 

"Now like successive continents they lay, 

O'er treasured with the fruitage to sustain 
Our famished ranks, and bares the yielding way 

That leads to plenty o'er the conquered main." 

They built their vessels, launched them on the tide, 
And gained the island's ease inviting breast. 

The first to seek the world inspiring stride 
That dared the mastery of a mighty west. 

And onward still from isle to isle they sped — 
Whose welcome sands the fragile barques profane. 

Beneath bright skies in daylight glory spread. 
And nights ablaze with stars imperial rain. 
And on until the heaving ocean bridged 
Their barques lie stranded on a wondrous shore — 

A sun bright land with terraced verdure ridged — 
Where flowery revels paint the valleys o'er. 




42 SCIOTA 

Thus came the tribes ! whose glorious past was veiled 

With bonds ignoble, born through countless years, 
By laboring serfs whom hissing lashes quailed 

In blood torn tribute of despairing tears. 
While fair Samaria's homes were foully raped 

By dread Pilesear's desecrating Sard, 
And heaven condemned their destiny was shaped 

To penitential earn their sins' reward ; 
For through the wrongs resentful pride impose, 

Jh^^ fci^ Jt4t^Viyf/C At Acxi^ 

Disdaining truths th' inspired prophets taught, 
Forgetting rescue from Egyptian woes, 

Forgetting peace their old religion sought. 
Unto degrading Gods they impious turned. 

In profane worship at their altars fire. 
Where through licentious rites degenerate learned, 

They reaped the harvest of celestial ire. 
But through the ages fellowship remained 

Though lost to name, and that immortal light 
That built their nation, now forever stained 

By Heavens repulse. At length reviving right 
Their numbers gathered, and escaped the chain 

Of crushing slavery, in migrating ranks 
They scaled opposing mountains, dared the main, 

And rest in rapture on those sunny banks. 



SCIOTA 43 

And yet their nomad instincts still supreme, 

The heritage of their Chaldean sires, 
Disdaining ease of plenty's tranquil dream. 

In restless wandering sought their souls' desires. 
The tribes divide ! Seductive countries lay 

In the far South beneath unclouded skies. 
Their fertile plains, in bountiful array 

Of yielding nature wooes responsive eyes. 
And there at last they rest, their wandering o'er, 

Mid Anahuac's groves in languorous peace, 
'Till Heaven, appeased, shall happily restore 

Their heritage, and give their fate release. 

PART IX. 

^T^HE better part, the brave, the bold, 

-^ Those of a true heroic mould, 
Disdaining rest, despising pain, 
Believed their light would rise again ; 
Not in the soft seductive leisure 
Of groves that lead to aimless pleasure : 
Not in those Syren haunts where grows 
The unearned fruitage of repose. 
But where men in unceasing strife 
Win all that earth imparts to life ; 
Where laboring arms and brains ignite 
Ambitions fire, and guides its light. 



44 SCIOTA 

O'er mountains far, whose lofty peaks 
With endless winter's garment reeks — 
Whose rocks and chasms faint supplying 
A path of danger, rest denying — 
The horrors of the steeps they face. 
Where ice born storms, o'erwhelming, race 
From crag to crag in wild revolt 
With whirling winds, in fierce assault 
On rampart hills, that guarding lay 
Like sentinels to dispute the way. 

High in the air, above the clouds 

Which all the earth below enshrouds, 

In starving ranks, they pressed the sod 

Where mortal footsteps ne'er had trod ; 

Where rocks and hills unyielding, staunch, 

Fall 'neath the fatal avalanche 

That fills the chasms, blocks the pass 

And hurls an elemental mass 

Chaotic gathered, prone upon. 

The striven way their steps had won. 



SCIOTA 45 



And thus amid the warring wrath 

Of quaking earth and angered sky — 
Where winds unfettered swept the path 

And rocks, plutonic, baring he — 
They struggled on courageous still 

Through days of long enduring want, 
Amid the pangs of natures chill 

And pains abode and famines haunt ; 
For destiny revealed the way 

And led them to the promised light, 
Without the guiding cloud by day. 

Or yet the pillar'd fire at night; 
Protected by celestial care, 

Triumphing the forbidding road. 
They quit the realms of frigid air 

And to a kindlier region strode. 



At length they came to that fair land 

The Eden of our sires delight, 
Unscathed by wars invading hand, 

Unsullied by tyrannic might. 
And dwelt long ages of content, 

Until the Norths invading horde 
Came on devastating mission bent. 

And met Manitou's dread reward. 



46 SCIOTA 

PART X. 

RELUCTANT, in its whelming sway, 
Slowly the deluge passed aw'ay ; 
And from its sullen bosom, isles 
Up raised their breasts to nature's smiles. 
The islands grow ; the waters fade ; 
And plains with changing hill and glade. 
Soon in a garb of verdure dressed 
Awake to life. While from the breast 
Of ardent nature paeans singing. 

Bright flowers in unchecked clusters grow, 
While shrubs and vines, like lovers clinging. 

Their meed of pregnant growth bestow. 

The earth renewed in youth appears ! 
The skies alternate smiles and tears. 
Inviting natures waking charms 
To living dreams in beauty's arms. 
But wondrous were the changes lexit 

The floods retreat. The unrobed scene 
A riven land, through whose extent 

A mighty river rolls between — 
Its countless arms were stretched away 

To bring a tributary tide. 
From Eastern hills, which cradle day. 

And from the West where nights abide — 



SCIOTA 47 

Like destiny's unyielding force, 

The flood, restraining earth defied, 
Its crumbHng banks, and fitful course 

Shaped the inconstant waters stride. 
'Twas thus the deluge scared the earth, 

Whose sun bright plains and languorous isles, 
Forever since creations birth 

Basked unrestrained in plenty's wiles. 
But now a hardier land is here 

Where willing hands alone may win, 
Through labors weal, the righteous cheer 

That loving arms may gather in. 

We are the last of that great band 

Who from Chaldean sources came 
Escaping bondage, found this land 

And wrought Muskingum's deathless name. 
And our pure blood of long descent 

No mongrel strain invading dared. 
Our pride of race ennobling lent 

The conscious garb that memory shared. 
But ere the legend is complete, 

Or yet fulfilled the sacrifice. 
Shall thoughtful age those truths repeat, 

That teach the rude, inspire the wise. 



48 SCIOTA 

O ye ! who climb ambitions steep, 
And on its fragile summit, reap 
Its rotted fruit, the dead decay 
That scarce prevails a fleeting day — 
And find thy towering pride, but lend 

A future cursed with withering care, 
And all thy striven splendor end 

In the cold desert of despair ; — 
Seek not the calmer vales of life, 

Seek not the refuge of content, 
Thou'll know them not, thy ways are strife 

Thy days of peace and love are spent. 
A day of valor though it ring 

With passioned glory of success. 
Its utmost conquests scarce may bring 

A passing strain of happiness. 

A day of triumph though 'tis passed 
Amid the realms of power and fame. 

Its builded hopes, through time amassed, 
Yield but a quick forgotten name. 



SCIOTA 49 

A day of love — serenely filled 

With incensed hours of fond delight, 
Where souls entwined, with rapture thrilled, 

Live in their own enshrining light — 
Its joys unnumbered, dwell within 

The hearts recesses, ever blessing. 
And fondly prompts the holy sin 

That seeks its heaven in fond caressing. 



Ambition's ends can ne'er atone. 

With all its gauds and gilded art, 
For tortured days to love unknown, 

Or hungered longing of the heart ; 
Like visioned demons of the night. 

It turns the evenings calm repose 
To baleful scenes, where shivering fright 

Beeets a multitude of woes. 



Huron, we now unfold our arms 
To welcome thee an honored son, 

And give to thee the fondest charms 
That mortal love hath ever won. 



50 SCIOTA 

The prophet ceased ! Kalenko's voice 

In solemn accents judgment gave, 
Relentless the ungenerous choice, 

To join the tribe or meet the grave. 
What ordeal could a warrior know 

More fraught with cruelt}^ intense, 
That binds him to his country's foes 

A traitor's price, his recompense. 
And gives it to invading power 

To pour its savage hordes upon 
His native land, and speed the hour, 

Led by a lost a recreant son. 



What virtuous soul would contemplate 
The traitors shame, the dastard fate? 
The outcast's hope forever lost, 

The peace that never lives again ; 
What mind could calm behold the cost 

And live a lie 'mid patriot men? 



Could his proud heart resolved in truth 
Thus sacrifice its generous youth? 
Could he, a recreant life to save. 
Yield its high aims to 'scape the grave? 
Forbid it Heaven ! Ye powers divine 
That steel our souls to deeds sublime, 
Protect from that entrancing snare 
And give the fortitude to bear — 



SCIOTA 51 

Not death invoked by savage art — 

That gives the torture's withering fire — 

Or faith that casts the quivering heart, 
Still pulsing, on the reeking pyre— 

But the sweet monitor, that keeps 

The heart enchained in beauty's guile, 

While memory's light unconscious sleeps 
O'er whelmed by loves supernal wile. 

For that fond demon, heavenly born, 

From its high portals loving torn. 

Welds every thought in one dear thrill 

That leaves no 'scape for mortal will. 



"Through beauty's barter thou wouldst seel 
To win abhorrent aims, that reek 
With traitor deeds, yet that pure maid 
Would 'neath the pitying earth be laid, 
Than aid in thy repulsive ends, 

Than yield one timid thoughts applause 
To gain a moments stay, that tends, 

To turn thy hearts to mercy's cause." 

"Muskingum's list — for now is past 
The hopes, that o'er my future cast 
A fate destined, through battles game, 
To make supreme the Huron name — 



52 SCIOTA 

"Wrapt in ambitious vivid snare, 

With glory's beacon light to guide, 
With arm to battle, heart to dare, 

No thought restrained my warrior pride 
Until loves holy message taught — 
All else was vain, evasive, naught — 
That Heaven alone could send the hour 
Which gives me to loves holy power. 
Not thine to grant the peerless dower!" 



"Muskingum, now I fearless tell 
The answering words, that bid me dwell 
In deaths long sleep : glad will I brave 
The torture's pains, the festering grave. 
The wreck of love, the curse of hate, 

Ere I a moment's thought would give 
To aid thy schemes, to help thy state, 

And with thy tribe applauding, live.'* 



Scarce had his words, defiant, ceased, 

Than passion freed its long restraint. 
The brandished club, the ax released 

Gleamed in the light with baneful plaint 
At once Muskingum's warriors grasped 
The fearless brave, his limbs were clasped 
With circling bonds, and thus secure 
A night of torture to endure. 



SCIOTA 53 

Dark was the eve, the thunder crashed, 

The vivid Hghtning, speeding far 
Upon the skies, appalling flashed. 

Manitou rode his storm robed car! 

And on the night's enfolding gloom 
Launched forth the tempest wind songs, free 

To howling sing a coming doom, 
A dirge of sacrificial glee. 



A night of horror to the brave, 
A night that contemplation gave 
No recompensing thought, that light 
Could lend one hope to suffering right ; 

Or chance to conquer that despair 
Which shapes to life its gloomy end, 

A chance that gives, to valiant share 
A fearless struggle to defend. 

Thus mused the chief while sorrows rend. 



"O for a moment, freedoms thrill 

To give my arm inspiring power 
One gallant contest to fulfill. 

Then welcome deaths eternal hour. 
O liberty ! thou purest crime 

That mortal dares that angels praise ! 
Thy triumph turns to light sublime 

The fettered gleam of tyrant rays ! 
But liberty is not for me 
In death alone my soul is free." 



54 SCIOTA 

But now a form from out the shade 
With silent steps steals through the glade, 
Wrapt in a night hued robe, that le.it 
Dread semblance to a spirit, sent 
From out the shadowy land of death. 
With whispered words and bated breath 
Briefly revealed, the prisoned chief, 
The way to life, the hoped relief. 

His quickened sense inspired, awake, 
Beholds loves constancy forsake 
Her country, home, her nation, yet 
Feel not a pang of fond regret. 
Quickly the harrowing bonds were riven 
A weapon to his hands was given. 

"Away ! Away ! She whispering said, 

Before the dawn illumes the hills 
Be thou on freedom's pathway fled, 

'Tis thus its duty love fulfills ; 
But when in thy far home secure. 

Remember, this fond beating heart 
With constancy will still endure, 

'Till life with its lost hopes depart." 



SCIOTA 55 

"Forbid it, Heaven! Waconta cried. 

That I should leave my promised bride, 

Desert my souls celestial joy ! 

Quit thy fond presence ; and destroy 

The one dear hope that pitying fate 

May its relentless course abate. 

No. No ! No recreant brave am I ! 

Far better, far, it were to die 

With all the pangs that torture give, 

Than thus desert thy love, and live." 

"Away ! Away ! the maid replied. 
If yet thou hope to gain thy bride! 
I'll wait thy coming 'till the light 

Of that bright orb, now soon to rise, 
Deserts its path, and yields to night 

An endless mastery o'er the skies. 
I go dear one he said at length, 

But wait me, I will come again. 
And with me all the warrior strength 

Of Hurons true heroic men." 



56 SCIOTA 



BOOK SECOND. 
PART XI. 

TOWARDS the North, a toiling brave 
Sped on to where the tideless wave 
Of restless Huron stretched afar, — 
Embounded by the mystic bar 
Where lake and skies enchanted meet. 
Long had his quick untiring" feet 
Trod the wild path of steep and plain 
With one reviving hope, to gain 
His native land, his nation's home. 
Where those resistless warriors roam 
Who made immortal. Huron's name, 
Who built its power, impressed its fame ; 
Where, in the wake of passing time. 

They gathered on their Northern hills 
The valor, which a rugged clime 

Such fearless hearts responsive fills. 

Hard by the shore, where lofty pines 

With arms in cloudless incense swinging- 
Like censers serving natures shrines, 

'Mid woodland chorus brightly ringing ; 
Where blooming plants of hardy grace 

With beaut}^ paints the fragrant sod. 
While yet triumphed the kingly race 

The oriflamme of golden rod — 



SCIOTA 57 

Dwelt Huron's hardy warriors. Here 

Their home fires kept their hearts aglow, 
With legend glories to endear, 

And stintless freedom to bestow 
Its guerdon on each fearless son, 

Who with his ax and trusty bow 
His warrior plumes by valor won 

From some renowned but conquered foe. 



Loud were the cheers that greeting came 

As on the scene Waconta trod, 
His heart aglow with valors flame, 

His bearing like a warrior god ; 
His form exalted as the oak 

That triumphs in the forest shade; 
His voice in tempest tones invoke, 

The list'ning braves, to gallant aid 
A cause as generous as the war, — 

Of virtue 'gainst alluring wrong — 
That suppliant wins its hallowed star 

And sets it mid the holy throng. 



His words in burning measures, grew 

Like floods that sweep the valleys through, 

And scatters in their ruthless flight 

The scenic chords of olden might, 

Then falling as some grand refrain. 

Intones a brighter chord again. 



58 SCIOTA 

His eloquence resounding grand, 
Stirred the rude passions of the band ; 
Aroused to war or soothed to peace ; 
Bade pity flee or vengeance cease ; 
Invoked the raids relentless game; 
Or lighted loves celestial flame ; 
Exulting made each willing arm, 
The guiding sire of wars alarm. 



And thus each rude tempestuous heart 
With passions revelry intense, 

Sought eager, dangers hopeless part, 
Spurred by the stormy eloquence. 

Then ere the ecstacy were fled 

The final words were sternlv said. 



O warriors of a noble line, 
Whose valiant actions, brightly shine 
In memory's light, where deeds of glory 
Live in the prophets glowing story — 
As fancy's tales are told, to grace 
The legends of some mystic race — 
Can you renowned for generous deeds 

That makes the Huron name sublime. 
Exist unmoved, while virtue pleads 

To 'scape the savage grudge of crime? 



SCIOTA 

Ye victors of a hundred fields, 

Who staked your honor, to attain 
The proud estate, that nobly wields 

The arms o'erguarding freedoms reign; 
Can you live on in plentys ease 

While rampant tyranny prevails, 
Imbibe the essence, while the lees 

Is mocking cast to swell the wails 
Of sufiFering hearts, whose vain defense 

Is their sad, piteous impotence? 



It seems but yesterday, when youth, — 
Clad in the panoply of truth — 
By Huron's waters, happy strode — 
Drinking the poetry which life 
Imparts to youth, ere manhood's strife 
Unveils the drear subverting road. 



And on its bosom dim, afar. 

Beheld a seeming ordained light, — 
A bright isle, like some waking star 

That decks the robe of early night — 
A light of hope, destined to glow 

O'er young ambition's boasting sway, 
Or else, perhaps a mocking woe 

Ere life beholds its closing day. 



6o SCIOTA 

Shall we in dull contentment rest, 

And let ambition callous lie ; 
Quench the proud fire that warms each breast, 

Nor pass one fond regretful sigh? 
If so, how vain the hope that strives 

For fleeting joys we sufifering reap, 
When treasured mem'ry scarce survives 

The advent of eternal sleep. 

If this be true, what does the flight 

Of time impart to earthly state. 
When darkly looms the coming" night, 

Where all that life begets, await 
A few strained tears, a passing sigh, 

A moment's tribute o'er the bier, 
A light regret, and then to lie 

Forgotten through the endless year. 

Can we, thus scanning o'er the past 
Wish that our future be o'er cast 
By nerveless ease, never to greet 
A gallant struggle e'en 'twere defeat? 
Shall we philosophy invent 
To ease our conscience, gain content 
Through argument, that deftly pleads. 
To cheat our lives of noble deeds? 



SCIOTA 6 1 

Not so! such fate just men despise; 
Indignant, their brave souls arise 
Rebellious, though some distant field 
May see their gallant bosoms yield 
The tide of life, unwept, unknown, 

Save by the verdure's soothing wave. 
Or some sweet flower through pity grown 

In tearful perfume from the grave. 
And now ye Huron braves arise, 

Reveal your soul's unflinching wrath, 
Muskingums sons must ne'er despise 

Or fright you from the warriors' path. 
For they, transgressing truth's domain. 

Deride your prowess, flaunt your rage 
Declare your conquests, boasted, vain, 

And dare you to the battle's gage. 

Now let our prophet meek intone 
Our prayers to reach Manitou's throne 
Imploring Heaven's immortal care 
While we the toils of conflict share. 



62 



SCIOTA 

PART 12. 

Prayer. 

/^^ REAT Spirit thou Lord who dwells Supreme 
^^ In Heaven's celestial Hall ! 
Thy holy name. O mighty King ! 
Be hallowed over all. 

Thy kingdom of eternal light 

Some happy day shall come ! 
Thy will celestial shall prevail, 

And contrite hearts be dumb. 

Grant us the sustenance that flows 

From thy responding earth ; 
Forgive our faults and let our acts 

Be measures of our worth. 

Let not temptation's might prevail 

And fill our worldly path ; 
O free us through thy boundless love 

From Thy destroying wrath ! 

Thy power and Thy glory. Lord ! 

Eternity shall know. 
Thy praises will through endless time 

With love adoring flow. 



SCIOTA 63 

Thou wondrous Spirit. God of all 

The universal scheme, 
Extending where no thought may dare, 

Nor wisdom's light may dream. 

The moon, the stars, the cosmic space, 

Creations natal cause. 
With orders flowing harmony 

Obey Thy changeless laws. 

Thou brought the night from space afar 

To tread its silent way ; 
And with the sun's inspiring light 

Thou built the glowing day. 

Along the skies' celestial path 

Thy flaming legions march, 
In phalanx of imposing ranks 

That gem the starry arch. 

Dread spirit of such boundless power 

O let us triumph, when 
We strike for honor, justice, right; 

Lord, grant our prayer. Amen. 

Up sprang the warriors, each resolved 

The tribal glory to renew ; 
The problem of invasion solved, 

They quick the fateful path pursue. 



64 SCIOTA 

BOOK THREE. 

^ I ^ HE hours passed, the storm king's reign, 
-*- Lingering in distant thunder's sound, 
Gave way before the blushing train 
Of rays that rosy morning crowned. 

Muskingum's braves, from slumbers yoke 

Stirred by the woodland call, awoke ; 

To reach the Huron's prison space. 

The path, with hurried steps they trace ; 

But hark ! Those curses, deep and dread, 

Proclaim the Huron Chief has fled. 

Loud imprecations, wild and fierce, 

Were vollied forth in tones to pierce 

The list'ning heavens ; while gathered in 

Excited groups, with vicious din — 

The chief has fled, our prey e'scaped 

To mock the schemes our vengeance shaped — 

They cried aloud. But soon they grew 

To dangers calm, then to pursue 

The fleeing Huron, quickly dashing — 

With weapons in the sunlight flashing — 

Their rage, unbounded as the wrath 

That fills the cyclone's deadly path, 

Sought madly the accounting cause 

That thus profaned Muskingum's laws. 



SCIOTA 65 

Shall all our utmost care but givt 
Him freedom to escape and live? 

No! Some Apostate's venomed deed 
Has the relentless chieftain freed. 

Kalenko's voice at length was heard 

Above the loud, confounding wrath, 
His stern command the warriors stirred 

To speed upon the hostile's path. 
Some recreant son, Kalenko said, 

Muskingum's concord has profaned : 
Our glory to dishonor led 

And our long line of splendor stained. 

What worthless soul could thus defame 

The land that gave him welcome birth; 
Yield all. ungrudged. to damning shame, 

And stand before astounded earth 
In manhood's guise, without a pang, 

To tell the story of remorse, 
And treacherous flaunt the venomed fang 

That consecrates the traitor's course. 
And now Muskingum's sons must know 

If home shall be a sacrifice, 
That grovels to a hated foe, 

And yields all for a pander's price. 



66 SCIOTA 

No, never! Steadfast never, while 
High heaven reveals its boundless smile, 
Shall pitying thought uncertain stray 
And grant the unction of delay. 

The craven shall in torture die ; 
His hated corse shall festering lie 
The vulture's food, and untold shame 
Shall cursed enshrine his dastard name, 

But see ! before her raging sire 

Stept timid forth Muskingum's maid, 
Like some sweet spirit from the pyre 

Of sacrifice. She calmly said 
No traitor's part, no bargained deed. 

No act ungenerous have I done ; 
For I obey but that fond creed 

Of love which hath devotion won. 
Thou ! Mighty chieftain, even thou ! — 

Although thy calmer measures sleep — 
See'st in my heaven-recorded vow 

A sacrifice, my faith should keep ; 
E'en while thy raging mind has planned 

My death to meet thy dread command. 



SCIOTA 67 

But never, never will I dare 

The sacrifice of love; I'll share 
Waconta's fate. Nay, there contains 

In earth beneath, or skies above, 
In splendor's gauds, or treasured gains, 

Naught that can quench my boundless love. 
From him to part ! forbid it all 

My hope of heaven's celestial bliss ; 
\Vith him to live, with him to fall 

Is joy ; no hope presents like this. 
Away all ties ! My cherished home 

Is his fond bosom, there to rest, 
And joyful find with him to roam, 

Through worlds of toil, is to be blest. 
Now do thy worst, thy slaughtering part 

Shall ne'er thy offspring's bosom quail ; 
For love shall glow this constant heart, 

E'en while thy torturing arts assail. 



Then spake the chief in sorrow's wail. 
Alas ! th}' parent's heart could break 

To know, thy country, long so dear, 
By passion led, thou wouldst forsake, 

Nor drop one sad, one lingering tear. 
To know thy curst delusion stills 

Each patriot thought, and bids forget 
Our tribe's historic fate that thrills, 

Nor yields one sigh of fond regret. 



68 SCIOTA 

So, thou must die — unpitied die — 

And thus atone thy wretched crime ; 
Thy scattered ashes, lost, shall lie 

Unwept, unknown, throughout all time. 
Thus justice shall impressive lend 

To judgment its avenging part; 
But with thy passing fate will rend 

The last fond fiber of my heart. 



Kalenko ceased, and sadly stept 

From where the gloomy Avarriors stood ; 

While round impulsive women wept 
Their tender souls in sorrow's flood. 



PART XIII. 

IAROM 'midst the angered warriors came 
-■- Shananket, sullen as the night. 

Yet in his eyes ambition's flame 

Shone fiercely — as the baleful light 
Of that dread star whose frigid ray 

Brings all the ills of nature forth, 
To sadden our expectant way 

With chilling: horrors of the North — 



SCIOTA 69 

In lowered but impressive voice 

He bade the warriors scan the choice 

'Twixt he — who tearful judgment gave, 

And through reluctance doomed its force; 
With power supreme, yet feared to save. 

When saving was the nobler course. 
Whose hesitation to fulfill 
Reveals his now impotent will — 

And he. whose ready arm and brain 

Stands forth to willing champion 
Muskingum's rights, and thus sustain 

The fame our fearless arms hath won. 
Yes, warriors ! know Kalenko's power 

Is but a memory of the past, 
And now has come the pregnant hour 

When fate's unsparing hand has cast 
Our nation's hope, our peoples' joy, 

On us to cherish or destroy. 
This must we do, the maiden save ; 
Her ashes in an unmarked grave 
Can ne'er atone our honor lost. 
Can ne'er repay the monster cost 
Her treacherous love to us hath given. 
Better far the bonds were riven 
That links her to the Huron's soul ; 
With her my queen, we reach the goal 
Where wrecked affection will suffice, 

To make his days enduring pain. 
His life an endless sacrifice. 

Nor know ambition's path again. 



70 SCIOTA 

Kalenko, too, must quickly feel 

The anguish of avenging steel ; 

Let the dread task on me be laid 

That sends him to eternal shade. 

Go, bring him forth from sighs and gloom, 

And let our council tell his doom. 



Forth came the chief, majestic still. 
To hear rebellion's impious will. 
"Kalenko, list; the die is cast, 

Muskingum hath thy death decreed. 
Thy work is done, thy glory past, 

And from thou, tyrant, we are freed. 
Now tell the skies thy final prayer 
And for the sacrifice prepare — 
Thus howled rebellion from its lair. 
Then spake the chief-:-his towering crest 
The bravest, mightiest of the West, 
Indignant with that pure emotion 
That tells a patriot life's devotion — 
"Muskingum, know, rebellion ne'er 
Brings to the brave one thought of fear ; 



SCIOTA 71 



Nor can a traitor's arts disclose 
The gallant might of generous foes ; 
But like the skulking wolf, that prowl 
'Mid noxious places, where its howls 
Awake a kindred clement — 
'Tis but corrupting clamor, sent 

From hell to curse a noble game, 
And filch some glory chance has lent. 

And cloud a stolen right with shame. 
What ! fear the serpent's covert hiss, 

Although his fangs be poised in wrath? 
Away ! no warrior's deed is this 

That hurls the reptile from his path. 
Thy venom ! Ah ! A feeble thrust 

That apes the hero's gallant stroke. 
Thy language lies, whose futile lust 

Seeks curses to impose thy yoke. 
Thank heaven my lot, tho" filled with strife, 
Was cast to dwell an honored life ; 
And though to war we oft' appealed, 
'Twas ever on a glorious field, 
Where victors cheer, the vanquished cry, 
The brave triumph, or fearless die : 
Where, man to man, their prowess test 
Which is the mightier, which the best. 
But scenes like these are for the men 

Whose nobler natures wrong despise ; 
Not traitors from a reeking den 

Where all that's treason crested lies. 



72 SCIOTA 

"My soul is ready for the flight 
That ushers it to endless night ; 
And while I sing the fatal dirge 
Upon death's dread, mysterious verge, 
No hand polluted with thy schemes 

Shall dare profane thy chieftain's breast 
Manitou's bolt, with flashing gleams, 

Shall take me to eternal rest. 



KALENKO'S DEATH SONG 

Great Spirit! Thou immortal 
Master of all ! The portal 
Of thy glorious home T see 
With prophetic eyes. When free 
From afflicting life thy care 
Eternally I would share. 
While the long aeons roll 
From the Zenith to the pole 
Of the mysterious space. 
Where thy wondrous coursers race 
In that stupendous contest 
Of cosmic power, to rest 
No more from dutv until 



SCIOTA 7;, 

Jn their orbits they fulfill 
The task imposed by thy will ; 
There, in thy vast boundless sky, 
Beneath thy imperial eye 
Lord, grant I may ever rest. 
The glory of thy face 
No thought may hope to trace, 
For angels shrink the sight! 
Yet the celestial light 
Of thy brow, eternal bright. 
O'er flooding nature — e'en afar 
Tnto the utmost star — 
Imparting pulsing life — 
Thy grandeur slight reveals. 
Time or distance ne'er conceals 
Aught nature's course affects ; 
n^he empire man erects. 
And with gauds of power decks, 
Are but a zephyr's breath 
Before thy will. So the fate 
Of all Muskingum but await 
Thv nod. And now I see 
A wondrous power given me 
To forecast. To prophecy 
Muskingum's future destiny. 



74 SCIOTA 

I see the red man's splendor fade 

'Neath destiny's relentless rod ; 
His ax, his bow, his prowess laid 

Beneath the plain's inglorious sod. 
No future grand with mighty deeds 

Shall yet thy fading power revive ; 
The shadowy legions memory leads 

Are ijhosts of legends that survive. 



No more the boundless plains are filled 
With game to glad the hunters' sight ; 

The cheer, the warwhoop — all are stilled ; 
The grave alone asserts its might. 

Thy names ma}' live, thy names alone 
The future races yet to tell 

The tribes that were, to place unknown, 
And how their fancied glory fell. 

How all thy splendor, lost by wrong, 
A savage grandeur yet supplied ; 

How thou 'mid earth's superior throng- 
In al)ject suppliance failed and died. 



SCIOTA 75 

I see vast legions speed along, 

The lightning flashing from their staves — 
To mercy lost, unchecked of wrong — 

To fill our land with slaughtered braves. 
I see the paleface warriors grow 

In mastery the earth around; 
Their wardrum's crash, victorious flow. 

And make your homes historic ground. 
And now. Muskingum, thy great name 

No more shall stir a nation's pride ; 
A threnody! Its questioned fame 

vShall serve to mark some sluggish tide. 
The end is reached, the vision dim 

That heaven permitted is no more, 
And now I cease the fatal hymn. 

Lord, take me to thy holy shore ! 
O, wonders ! From the cloudless sky 

A bolt transfixed his mighty breast ; 
Without a struggle, scarce a sigh, 

Thus passed Muskingum's bravest, best. 



76 SCIOTA 



PART XIV. 

C^HANxA.NKET, in supreme command, 

^^ Sought the maiden's reluctant hand. 

Her wigwam, long a sacred spot — 

No youth or elder e'er forgot. 

The homage due Kalenko's child. 

Whose thought, whose acts, were vmdefiled- 

Its precincts were for her alone. 

Where saddened vigils, all unknown, 

Were spent, while memory's fragrant tears 

Revived those happy days of peace — 
Their light of hope, their cloud of fears, 

The fortitude that gained release 
From the soul's chasms. Penitent! 

Yes, sadly penitent ! That all 
The hopes she deemed so innocent 

Were but precedents of a fall 
That destiny's recording scroll 

Had marked — for all must patient wait 
Its page relentless to unroll, 



SCIOTA 77 

And tell the dread decree of fate — 
So, mem'ry was the only friend 
The shadows of the past cotdd lend, 
For memory's pages can unroll 
The love-born music of the soul. — 
As in the wind harp's meshes, stored 
With music's cadence, lingering, — 
So memory's reviving chord, 

Quick flashing o'er its vibrant string. 
Brings to the vision's mental day 
The far past's quick, responding ray — 
The future! Ah! What may it bring! 

Misfortunes greater than the past? 
Shall traitors rule, shall sorrows wring, 

Or love triumphing reign at last? 
Ah, sad ! She could but contemplate 

The sorrows that her love had brought ; 
The deeds that cursed Muskingum's state- 
Rebellion, mad ambition taught ; 
A mighty parent sacrificed, 

A noble heart gone forth to death, 
A soul dishonor ne'er enticed, 

A patriot with his last drawn breath ; 
The tribe distracted ! All its past 

So splendid on historic page. 
In the rude maze of war o'ercast 

And shattered by rebellious rage. 



78 SCIOTA 

Thus seemed it to her woman fears 
That her fond love but curses earned ; 

The future's brightness, all that cheers, 
Were to corrupted ashes turned. 

To her no joy could life unfold, 

Her quickest peace the charnel mould. 

AVhile thus her mind distracted flew 

With unchained thought on vagrant wing, 
Shananket to her wigwam drew 

Apeing the gallant — flattering! 
Fair maid, he said, thy lovely eyes 

Are not for sorrow ; happy smiles 
Should wreath thy face, where glowing lies 

The charms a warrior's heart beguiles. 
Thou art Muskingum's queen by right! 

And I its master, too, by might! 
Together, an unquestioned claim 

Gives us, throughout this blooming land, 
The right to rule, a path to fame 

As monarchs of a noble band 
More ancient than the lofty hills 
The wide horizon, guarding, fills. 



SCIOTA 79 

Away ! Away ! The maiden said — 
And from her face all sorrow fled 
While came, indignant, withering scorn, 
And every detestation born 
From the dark fangs of supreme hate — 
Away, thou wretch ! The fiends await 
Thy union with some kindred fiend ; 

Muskingum's maids through me despise 
Thy power, all from treachery gleaned, 

Thy prideful words all withering lies. 
Thou pander of a nation's worth, 

Thou slaughterer of all that's just. 
Sprung from the filth of mongrel birth. 

Nursed by some outcast wretch's lust. 
Thou Noble ! Thou? That generous word 

In thy existence finds no place ; 
Its resonance hath never stirred 

The spawn of a degenerate race. 

U'ith quivering" brow and fearless mien 
She towered, a denouncing queen. 

Her form, her voice, her stirring tone. 

Proclaimed her all of regal birth ; 
One born by right to share a throne, 

And guide the destinies of earth. 



8o SCIOTA 

It seemed a hell, a burning hell, 

From his dark glances hideous fell. 
His rage, his all-confounding rage, 

Consumed his language ere his tongue 
Could frame its words, and cursing wage 

The conflict truth unfettered wrung. 
He gained his speech. Thy cursed pride 

May torture, but it cannot save 
Thy boasting self ; 'tis I decide ! 

I am the master, thou the slave ! 
Thou'lt do my bidding ere the sun 
Again its daily course hath run. 
Or thou shalt die — ignobly die — 

Not by a weapon's honest stroke. 
But in surpassing horror by 

Such torture as but fiends invoke. 



He quit the maid; she faltered never! 
Her pride sustained. A noble, ever. 



But ere the sun had passed to rest 
Behind the shielding mountains' crest, 
A whispered rumor, scarce defined — 
Like thistledown upon the wind. 
Or swarming bees' uncertain hum 
That gives not warning whence they come- 
Stole o'er the land, then quickly growing 
In chorused volume 'till, o'erflowing. 
Told that a mighty Huron host, 

Hastening the wilderness around 
From the bright waters' rugged coast. 

Came to the South's unconquered ground 
To dare the deeds that crowns with fame 
Muskins:um's or the Huron's name. 



SCIOTA 8i 

BOOK FOUR. 
PART XV. 

^T> HE morning wakes! The fragrant breeze 

^ O'erflows the forest, broad, serene, 
vVhere bows the penitential trees, 

Beneath their stoles and crowns of green. 
The sunlight, filtering through the leaves, 

Streaks the brown sward with flitting gold, 
While vines and brambles, massing, weaves 

The nests and lairs that covering hold 
The crowding game of that wild place. 
The treasures of the hunters' chase. 

Along the aisles and tangled maze 

Strode silently long ranks of men : 
Each move, each attitude obeys 

Some guiding force, responsive when 
Occasion meets a questioned cause 
Or some rude task, obstructing, awes. 
Their stately forms, their haughty brows, 

Proclaimed the warrior brave and bold — 
Like those heroic hearts whose vows — 

The demigods of legends old — 
Sought the broad ways of honest fight 
To crush the wrong, to speed the right — 



82 SCIOTA 

Each man arrayed in warlike guise 

Of feathery fringe and pendant hair ; 
The painted visage death imphes, 

Their mighty bosoms broad and bare. 
The eagle, 'reft of all his pride, 

Gave to each chief his battle plume, 
To crown the scalp lock, while each stride, 

Swaying, foretells its hideous doom. 
Their arms? For each a well-strung bow, 

The arrows barbed with glittering stone, 
The club, the ax of jewel glow, 

Seemed weapons made for gods alone. 
Their feet in even measure stept, 
And each a sure alignment kept, 
In moccasins trod quick and light 
Like beasts of pray that prowl at night. 
Their food and drink, all want defied. 
The hunters and the streams supplied. 
Their camp the forest — open, free. 
The skies alone their canopy. 

Waconta, ever in advance, 

Surveyed the ranks with eagle glance ; 

His active mind, serene and clear. 

Foresaw each trial and thus became — 
Resourceful to inspire and cheer 

The master of this mighty game. 



SCIOTA 83 

And thus day after day they strode 
Along the wild, uncertain road. 
Unfaltering as the fated hour 

That recompensing nature sends, 
When life beholds its fading power, 

And the long struggle peaceful ends — 
At length approached Sciota's side — 

Whose limpid waters, restless, swelled 
Southward with ever-growing stride — 

And on its farther bank beheld 
A vast plain stretching far away, 

Unbroken in its wide extent, 
Where war in all its dread array 

Could its destructive arts present ; 
Uncaring, through its grim caress, 

Which side wins sorrow, which success. 



Upon the plain's extended verge 

Muskingum stood in dim array : 
Their daring scouts spread out to urge. 

With cursing yells and weapon play, 
The Huron sentinels to meet 

The taunting braves, and thus begin 
The pending fight. They feign retreat 

With their strategic art. to win 
The Hurons from the vantage post 

On which their guarded front extends. 
The rampart, where the warring host 

Their vigilance and valor blends. 



84 SCLOTA 

And now upon the plain advancing, 
Their weapons in the sunlight glancing — 
Like jewels from the fabled mine, 

Where sunbeams stolen from the sky 
Are prisoned, while their souls resign 

Their splendor and unconscious lie 
'Till rescued from the grasp of night, 

Their pent hearts burst in glowing light- 
They halt and hurriedly prepare 
To launch their arroAvs on the air ; 
Then upward from each bow there sprang, 
With viper hiss, and vibrant twang, 
A shaft up curving, mounting higher, 
Streaked with a ray of living fire 
Upon the barb, dependent, darting, 
A moment gleaming, then departing; 



But now so closely grew the cloud 
Of flying shafts, they seem'd to shroud 
The heavens with exulting gloom ; 
And many a warrior met his doom 
Beneath the curving, hissing gale : 
But soon the scourging arrows fail 
In volume, and in single flight 
Again they cleave the glinting light. 



SCIOTA 85 

Thus stood they distant, seeming tame, 
But soon discarding shaft and bow, 

With vengeful brows, and eyes aflame. 
Each rushed upon a rushing foe. 

The cruel ax, unsparing, grew 

A demon scepter, crashing through 

Full many a brow and many a breast 

Sank writhing to eternal rest. 

The battleclub with fury's dash 

Met the opposing weapons' crash. 

Or on some drooping scalplock falling 

Pitiless, with stroke appalling 

Crushinsf the human semblance out ; 

While all around the frenzied shout 

Rings on the air, and tells the story 

Of many a brave's departed glory. 

In groups they fight, and cursing die — 
In carrion heaps uncared for lie — 
Or man to man, with panting breath. 
They war until the arms of death 
Claim one or both, and as they fall 
With shrieks of anguish that appall 
In fury's grapple, demon led, 
The livinsr stransfled bv the dead. 



86 SCIOTA 

PART XVI. 

QUICKLY the elemental force 
Of nature waked ; its hosts began 
To gather from the mystic source, 

And all the shuddering sky o'erran ; 
Upward in awful masses came 
Cloud piled on cloud, whence shafts of flame 
Flashed forth a pale, unholy glare 
In sulphurous torrents on the air; 
The deep toned thunder, deafning, held 
A universal concert and swelled 
In stern, sonorous bass, or flew 
In rattling vollies, dashing through 
Responding winds, that grew 
Appalling, as if world 'gainst world 
From their far orbits, plucked, were hurled 
And met in awful crash. 

And wind 
Embracing wind, whirling, combined 
In raging force, and upward flung 
Gigantic monarch trees, that, wrung 
From the sustaining earth, were lost 
In the mad tempest's sport or tossed 
To the destroying flood. The rain 
In frightful torrents filled the plain 
As a vast sea, whose frantic surge 
Sped on rock and chasm's verge 
With cataract might through spray and foam 
'Till reached some far, mysterious home. 



SCIOTA 87 

And still amid the awful roar 

Of raging nature insatiate war 

Its revel held. The vengeful shout 

Above the thunder's roar pealed out 

In concert with the furious wind; 

And torture's shriek, heart wrung, combined 

With life's departing groans and wail 

To chill the shuddering air and pale 

The storm's dark brow, until the light 

Seem'd like the glare of mid-day night 

When the bright sun fades, on his path, 

Beneath some fiend's revolting wrath. 



Man, emulating devil, grasps 

His brother man in desperate clasps 

That death alone may lose and gasps 

His exultation, e'en as life 

Floats to the unknown sea, where strife 

Perchance is more. The maddened rush 

Of compact bands, relentless, crush 

The helpless in the murky flood 

That fills the plain ; disdaining blood. 

Drowns the immortal spark and drains 

The being of its lesser pains. 

Thus the high carnival of woe 

Was held alike above, below 

And all about, until the day^, 

Like many a life, had passed away. 



88 SCI OTA 

O'er the wide plain Waconta raged, 

A warring host himself, and waged 

Alone with his untiring arm 

Victorious strife. No thought of harm 

Delayed his path, or ever swerved 

Him from the hope, that constant served, 

To gi\e him the commanding power 

To master fate, and bring the hour 

\\'hen on the blood-stained field he'd meet — 

Ere fortune yet assigned defeat 

To either host — Muskingum's chief 

Shananket. and in contest brief 

Decide, as paused the battle roar, 

Their fate in love, their fame in war. 

Though hundreds fell beneath his wrath, 
Yet hundreds more still blocked the path. 
And \'ain the effort to fulfill 
This anxious measure of his will. 

Just then. Muskingum's legions quailed 
Before the Hurons' battling might ; 

Their ranks were crushed, their prowess failed, 
They saw defeat's polluting night 

When fickle victory, fleeing, gave 

Her smiles to cheer the Huron brave. . 



SCIOTA 89 

Waconta, all his soul aflame, 
Looking triumphant o'er the plain — 
As c^aze of some famed hero rolls 

O'er the red field victorious striven 
Then leaves the fruit to lesser souls 

And flies to love's awaiting heaven — 
So hastened his impatient stride 
To where Muskingum's loved abide. 



Alas ! few were there left to wield 
A weapon in defense ; the field 
Of war their force demands above 
All other thought; e'en mighty love 
Beheld its empire fail, when war 
Pealed its wild notes inviting o'er. 
Fierce was his speed ! His eagle plume 
Flashed out amid the falling gloom — 
The Huron beacon to demand 
Obedience to a chief's command. 

There in the eve's retiring light 

Three braves beheld the plume afar 

Float dimly on the breast of night — 
Like some far distant rising star — 

Then quick they followed on the way — 
Sought by \^^aconta's anxious speed.— 

To aid the chief and end the day 

With one supreme triumphant deed. 



90 SCIOTA 

Right onward now they fearless pressed, — 
Heedless of aught that dared oppose, 

To gain the spot, by love caressed, 

Where dwelt Muskingum's blooming rose; 

At last within a wigwam's shade, 

Guarded and bound they found the maid. 



A moment's struggle with the guard, 

A few fierce strokes, the deed was done. 
Whence valor gained its just reward 

Of victory and love was won. 
The cruel thongs were rent apart, 
The maid to fond VVaconta's heart 
Was clasped, and hope's bright ray 
Again beamed o'er their troubled wa3^ 



Ah hope ! Thou fairest light of heaven- 
Born in the realms of sweet content — 

Thy holy power, celestial given 
To aid thy handmaid, faith, is sent 

To minister to doubt and strife, 
']Mid failing hearts supremely sad. 

And bring the festal charms of life. 
To blooming vistas bright and glad. 

'Twas thus the restless Huron knew, 
The pangs of long-sustained delay, 

And those expectant joys that grew 
To torture, 'neath the lingering sway ; 

'Till hope within his soul became 

An impulse fraught with blissful care. 

While memory's restoring flame 
Inscribed its halo constant there. 



SCIOTA 91 



PART XVII. 

THE storm had passed, and calmly o'er 
The brow of night the moon beams pour 
A soft, bright flood of beauty, that 
Lhiburnished on the verdure sat 
And bathed each leaf with dripping light 
Steeped in the fragrant breath of night. 

Into the woods the Hurons turned 

Their leisure steps, and naught discerned 

'J'hat bade them haste ; those sounds alone 

That gather in the misty zone 

Of night, breathed with the wind, were heard 

The vampire darting, or some bird 

Of prey in flight, or zephyr's breath, 

But stirred a silence as of death. 

Onward throughout the summer eve 

The Huron warriors calmly trod. 
Like acol3'tes that mystic weave 

Bright chaplets for their woodland god, 
Whose sylvan empire, stretched afar. 

In the night's languor patient lies, 
Waiting the morn's imperial star 

To 'ope the gates of paradise. 
Hand clasped in hand, the chief and maid — 

Their hearts with love's light fondly glowing- 
Along the leafy pathway strayed, 

Hope future's endless joys bestowing. 



92 SCIOTA 

The warriors, subdued and calm. 

Marched silently the way along ; 
The night's soft shadows seem'd a balm 

That stilled their souls' triumphant song. 
And yet each heart rejoicing throbbed 

With exultation of success. 
Knowing their gallant arms had robbed 

Fate of its dread adverse caress. 

But hark ! A yell of doubt and fear, 

It seem'd a Huron's desperate voice! 
And now a wild victorious cheer ! 

Muskingum, canst thou still rejoice? 
Yes fortune in her fickle mood 
With frowns the Hurons now pursued ; 
Scarce had Waconta quit the field 

Than, rallied from ignoble flight, 
Muskingum's braves again appealed 

To fortune and renewed the fight. 
Charged ! And the Hurons, rent in twain, 
Were crushed and scattered o'er the plain. 

The sound upon Waconta's ear — 

Like a lost soul's despairing knell — 
Revealed its tale of harrowing fear 

That Huron's might, ignobly fell 
Before a nation long despised. 

When victory, too, its meed had gained, 
And all the fruits by valor prized, 

Now but a foeman's spoil remained. 



SCIOTA 93 

At length the chief in anguish said, 

Our Huron braves, to honor lost, 
Before Muskingum's arms have fled, 

Heedless of all that victory cost, 
While we, an atom of our host, 

Must bear the brunt of battle still. 
Sustain our tribe's heroic boast. 

And our long vaunted course fulfill ; 
Or else degenerate braggarts, prove 

The scolY of all that's true and brave. 
Unworthy of a generous love. 

Unworthy of a patriot's grave. 

Shall we, although in numbers few, 

Yield our proud manhood to a foe, 
Whose chief, through rank rebellion, drew 

His traitor warriors to bestow 
The eagle plume, that fits his state 

As bravely as the fetid crest 
That crowns the vulture, when elate. 

It glowers o'er its carrion nest. 
Never! Ah, never can we live 
In infamy and be despised. 



94 SCIOTA 

Never ! While heaven our homes can give 

The holy flame, devoutly prized, 
Of Liberty that purely burns 

With freedom's radiance, to sustain 
The slave that to its altar turns 

And worships its immortal reign. 
Ah, warriors ! We must now prepare 

To meet the front of coming woe, 
To die as only brave men dare 

Entombed amid the fallen foe. 

There is a duty to fulfill, 

Ere yet we dare Muskingum's band; 
Ne'er should our steps know rest until, 

Safe placed within some friendly land, 
This loving maid — the only shred 

Of righteousness Muskingum knew — 
By our strong arms is gently led 

To safety's haven, where the true. 
The brave, the just, content reside 

In happy homes unknown to strife ; 
\\'here industry and peace allied. 

Are monitors of honored life. 



SCIOTA 95 

A hearty cheer burst from each tongue 

Of these serene devoted men — 
Re-echoing Hke a paean sung 

By bright, adoring spirits when 
Freed from the chains of Hfe's delay, 
They speed on heaven's eternal way — 
Yes ! fearless as the tempest bird 

That circles in the wind clouds' van — 
By shrieking thunder undeterred, 

It flaunts the storm's affrighting ban — 
They glad demand the danger post — 

A human rampart to defy 
The warring braves the battling host — 

And beg the generous task to die 
Heroic in the fond defense 
Of that sweet soul of innocence. 

Through the long night they bravely toiled. 

Heedless of time's unsparing flight. 
And all their woodcraft art ne'er foiled — 

Muskingum's swift pursuing might. 
Whose warwhoops through the woods about 

Resounded with vindictive glee. 
While over all the vengeful shout 

Told of a holocaust to be, 
When in the snare of withering flame 
Dies all that's crreat of Hurons' name. 



96 SCIOTA 



PART XVIII. 



ABOVE the path the braves pursue 
The night dissolves ! To speedy view, 
Softly, in humid beauty breaks 
The fragrant dawn ! Silent awakes 
Bright nature's smile o'er earth and sky ! 
Upon its azure course on high, 
In merry chase of blushing morn, 
The sun speeds glowing, to adorn 
With beauty the responding earth. 
From this caress a wondrous birth 
To nature, in her pregnant hours 

Is given, through blooming love that hath 
Offsprings of fruits and budding flowers, 

Born to enrich and grace her path. 



But now. alas ! 'tis only wrath 

The Huron braves around them see ; 

A desperate hope alone, to flee. 

Opes the one gate to liberty ; 

Or shall they beg a few short years 

Of bartered safety from the foe. 
Lose hope, and all that life endears. 

And live a monument of woe — 
To teach the scoffing braves how well 
A dastard's life may be a hell — 



SCIOTA 97 

Or like the godly men that dwelt 

Unsullied, while the pagan yoke 
Their faith assailed, wdio calmly knelt 

And sought with joy the deadly stroke; 
Ere one small shred of their belief, 

One atom of religious truth, 
Wrest from their breasts by torture's grief, 

Wrest from their hearts by pleading youth, 
Was given reluctant, to escape 
Death in its most revolting shape — 
Yes, they must seek the nobler course 
And dare Muskingum's raging force ; 
For there is one defense remains — 

Muskingum's arms can ne'er deny — 
To l)attle fierce while life sustains, 

'J'hen die as but the brave can die. 

No timid prayer, no anxious plaint 

From the bright maiden's lips was wrung, 
But ever}^ trial, with proud restraint, 

Remained untold ; with blessing tongue 
She spoke the words alone to cheer, 

To brighten and delight the way, 
To soothe, to comfort and endear 

The hope for yet a happier day. 



98 SCIOTA 

And though impending doom, assailed 
Each moment with profound despair, 

Her fortitude, her love prevailed 
To make each toil a joy appear. 



Ah, like a spirit bright and fair, — 

That from a glowing paradise 
Wings her fond way to loving share 

The sorrows, that unspoken, lies 
Within the breasts of those brave men 
Who stake their lives and honor, when 
Fate to a generous duty calls. 
Succeeds, and then forgotten falls — 
She seem'd ; and still she gently strove 

To make the fated hours depart 
With sad content, and nobly prove, 

Heroic, each devoted heart. 



Now in the golden summer morn. 

Smiling in beauty calm and bright, 
The fleeing Hurons, jaded, worn 

With the night's long, incessant flight, 
Rested upon a blooming plain, — 

Whose sun-kissed verdure fragrant waved, 
Like Huron's broad, untiring main. 

Whose gleaming waves, caressing laved 
Her lovely isles, which seem'd to rest, 

Bright jewels on the waters' breast — 



SCIOTA 99 

Majestic in their far repose 

Vast hills upon the verge arise, 
Eternal ramparts that inclose 

The wanton charms of Western skies. 
'Twas but to snatch a moment's rest — 

From the wild chase the foemen urge — 
And thus revived, to gain the crest 

That guards the plain's extended verge ; 
Beyond those heights, a smiling land, 

Miami's peaceful home extends, 
Where great Manitou's loving hand 

In stintless measure, fruitage lends 
To cheer and bless ; a refuge sent 
By heaven to give the lost content. 



But fate, it seems, remorseless still. 
Teaches their cheering hopes are vain ; 

No path beyond the mighty hill 
Gives access to Miami's plain. 



Thus said the maid : "Full well I know 

"This spot, where oft' in peace I've strayed; 
"And ne'er did nature's hand bestow 

"A sight more dread ; for here arrayed 
"Are scenes of awful grandeur more 

"Impressive than the maddened rush 
"Of the wild waters, speeding o'er 

"Plutonic caverns, while they crush 
"Their masses to a foamy cloud, 
"With tones that shriek and thunder loud 
"Through chasm'd rapids, as they hurl 
"Their flood to some devourins: whirl. 



loo SCIOTA 

"Just at the mountain's summit ends 

"All that a footstep may sustain, 
"And straight as yon barbed shaft descends 

"Its barren sides — so smooth that vain 
"The wild bird in its bounding flight 

"Seeks out some rift, some point or ledge 
"To rest its pinions, and invite 

"Its mate to weave the nesting pledge. 
"Down, down beyond the vision, still 

"Extends its vast, unfurrowed side, 
"'Till at its base with speeding thrill 

"Rolls foaming on Sciota's tide. 



"Alas ! Alas ! No further now 

"May our worn footsteps painful speed; 
"To fate's dread mandate must we bow, 

"And from the toils of earth be freed. 
"'Tis but a moment's agony 

"That we may feel to pass away ; 
"'Tis but a change of scenes, to be 

"Enfranchised to the home of day. 



"Aye ! Brave thou art, none braver, none, 
"Nor wilt thou care existence lost, 

"For thou hast won, yes, nobly won 
"The hero's bays, although 'twill cost 

"Thy gallant youth's aspiring years 

"Unwept, unbalmed by memory's tears." 



SCIOTA loi 



PART XIX. 



SHE ceased! And to the valiant youths, 
Her words were like that balm from flowers 
Distilled by love, that potent soothes 
The blessed in Manitou's bowers. 



Alas, 'tis so ! Waconta said. 

But bitter 'tis to know, that I 
Have thro' my love's persuasion led 

Thee to this strait to fade and die — 
Like some bright flower, whose tender life 

Fits it alone for gentle care, 
To bloom in peace, to fade in strife, 

And leave but mem'ry's fragrance here. 

Naught now but our strong arms remain 

To meet Muskingum's ruthless power. 
And tho' the struggle be in vain 

Yet 'twill be vict'ry, when the hour 
Of doom arrives, for 'neath a pall 
Of foeman we shall gallant fall. 
Quick to yon glen, where rocks of gloom 

Guards the unhallowed space within, 
Like portals of some ancient tomb, 

Where ashes of imperial sin 
Lies fallow, to enrich the mould 
That battens in the charnel fold. 



I02 SCIOTA 

They gathered in the narrow glen — 

Alike a refuge and a grave — 
Those few but bold heroic men 

To wait the foe ; they proudly wave 
Their war plumes to the morning sun, 

And with unfaltering voice intone 
Their battle song, their deeds that won 

Such proud success, that now alone 
They scorn their tribe's declining star, 
And dare the game of hopeless war. 

In throngs Muskingum's hordes appear; 
With war yell and resounding cheer 
They spread their force and soon surround 
The glen, and from their vantage ground 
Launch their long shafts, embarbed with fire- 
More searching than the bitter ire 
Of that dark spirit, whose intent 
To wreck Manitou's firmament 
Through kindred rebels' aid accurst ; 
Hurled from high heaven, to hell dispersed, 
There, bound within the lesser zone. 
They turned their wrath on earth alone — 



SCIOTA lo; 

The hissing" shafts in darting curves 

Searches the chasm's utmost parts, 
While ax or club as missile serves 

To swell the wrath of maddened hearts. 
But instant to the foe again 

The weapons dart a quick return 
To fall like some devasting rain 

Of sulph'rous rage, to blast and burn 
In the fierce battle's withering breath 
Breathed by the conquering monster death. 



Ah, many a fallen foeman lies 

Dying beneath the pitying skies. 

And many a warrior's sanguine tide — 

Who yelling" fought, and cursing died — 

Gave to the jjrairie's thirsty sward, 

Its vital spark, to fettered rest, 
Until by pregnant time restored 

Life leaps new born from nature's breast. 



Ah 'twas a gallant battle ! Fought 

So bravely, yet with such vast odds ; 
' J'was like those wondrous contests sought. 

Unselfish, by celestial gods — 
W'ho in the golden days, long flown — 

To give to earth their generous might — 
Resigned the mounts imperial throne, 

And risked their heaven to aid the right — 



I04 SCIOTA 

But ah, those brave hearts ! Leaguered in 

The glen — That all too soon must be 
A charnel, where alone may win 

That frightful spirit, whose decree 
A final judgment must remain 
To give eternal joy or pain — 
Like masters of some solid keep 

They're calm, as when beside the lake, 
They thoughtless watched the wavelets leap 

Along the moonlight's silvery wake — 
The fatal dirge their tongues recall. 

Unshaken by a tremor's thrill. 
To tell how nobl}^ men may fall. 

When duty calls them to fulfill 
A hopeless task, which yet may prove 

How holy is a patriot's love. 



They sang with voices loud and high. 

That floated o'er the summer sky. 

The song of death wdiose cadence stirred 

To ecstacy ; the final word. 

Though bright and cheerful as the day 

That beamed so fair, a sadness yet 
Breaks through its accents, to betray 

The hopes that vouth cannot forget. 



SCIOTA 105 

Farewell! Farewell! A long- farewell 

To those few happy years 
Spent in the height of youths' delight, 

Whose meni'ry still endears 
Each scene, where oft' we sportive strayed 

In pleasure's vagrant thrill, 
Where fancy's lead or thoughtless deed 

But shaped unheeding will. 

No more o'er lake or wood we'll rove 

In idle mood, that knew 
No higher aim than stalk the game 

Or speed the light canoe. 
No more in evening's fragrant glow 

We greet the peace again, 
W'hich fond hearts sent to give content 

To love's entrancing pain. 

No more behold the summer night, 

Where oft' the pendant moon 
The mountain tips in silver dips, 

And all the woodland soon 
Lies in a broad efifulgent glow. 

Which gleams still brighter, through 
The radiant gem of leaf and stem 

Dripped o'er with sparkling dew. 



io6 SCIOTA 



^flftvi^ 



No more the streams thro' meadows glide 

Like belts of burnished light, 
**¥rH*ei^ bursts of flame in cataracts came, 

That dared the reign of night. 
No more the woodbine scents the breeze, 

Or wild arbutus blooms 
In early spring, to trail and cling 

In fragrance o'er the tombs 
Of those who've gone to mark the way 

Which our footsteps must tread — 
Who silent lies, yet gained the prize 

Of tears in reverence shed. 

No more we'll lead the warlike charge, 

Or from the raging van, 
Dash on the foe with ax and bow 

And battle man with man. 
For now no more the voice of hope 

Shall future glories tell ; 
Our days are fled, our joys are dead — 

Farewell ! Farewell ! Farewell ! 

They ceased ! The heavens seem'd to pale 
As echoed o'er the hopeless tale. 



SCIOTA 107 

PART XX. 

T~) AGING! Muskingum's warriors grew 
-■-^ In valor desp'rate, for their arms 
But slight impress and useless strew 

The glen about, while naught alarms 
The steady braves. At length the rain 
Of missiles from the crowded plain 
In such repeated volumes flow, 
That clubs and rocks in masses grow 
It seem'd to monumental height, 
Until, as though the sorrowing light 
Of Heaven was dimmed to pallid night. 

Thus fought the}^ on 'till one by one, 
The Huron braves, their duty done, 
Beneath the weight of missiles fell ; 
And in the shadow of that dell 

Earth ne'er beheld a braver scene. 
Where hopeless men unselfish toiled — 

A few brave youths with hearts serene, 
A thousand desp'rate warriors foiled — 
O, it was wond'rous to behold ! 
'Twas like some glorious tale of old 
When one great heart, enarmed with rights 
Put hvmdreds to is^noble flisfht. 



108 SCIOTA 

At last within the striv-en glade 
Breathed but the chieftain and the maid, 
While climbing o'er the rampart rock 
Muskingum's men, unnumbered, flock ; 
\Miose missiled weapons, searching, rends 
The lone spot where the chief defends 
His loved one. She, undaunted, clings 
To his great form. Her voice ne'er rings 
With fear's lament ; but her brave eyes, 
Shining with holy love, defies 
The crowding braves. Like some fair saint 

Sent forth by heaven, to faithful share 
A martyr's grave, no mortal plaint 

The agony reveals ; no care 
Of self or pain dims the bright crown 

By sacrificial jewels decked; 
No fear invites Manitou's frown. 

Nor dares the ark of virtue wrecked. 



But now. behold ! Fate destines all. 
The great the less at length to fall. 
And meet eternal joy or woe ; 
A shaft sped from a coward's bow 
Sadly transfixed the maiden's breast ; 
The warrior ceased ! The lover pressed 
Her dear form in his arms, and tears 
Rained from his eyes that countless years 
Of constant torture had not won ; 



SCIOTA 109 

His strife was o'er, his arm had done 
Its last brave deed; 'till forth a hand. 
Was stretched to grasp a silken strand 
Which crowned that loved, that sacred head. 
Then raged the chief, the lover fled, 
He dashed the crowding foe apart, 
He clasped the loved form to his heart. 
And towering o'er the shrinking braves, 
His gleaming ax triumphant waves. 



Back ! Back ! Ye fiends, ne'er shall a hand 
Profane this form of sacred birth 

While I have weapon to command, 
While Heaven reposes o'er the earth, 

He cried. And with her loved form pressed, 

Turned, dashed towards the mountain's crest. 



no SCIOTxV 

The foemen follow fast and fierce, 

And speed their darting shafts that pierce 

His great form o'er. With fading strength. 

Until the mountain's top at length 

Is gained, he speeds, and on its verge 

Stands fearless, while he sings the dirge 

Of death ; then from his bosom tore 

A shaft encrimsoned with the gore 

Of life, and fitted to his bow, 

Launched it full on the coming foe; 

It found Shananket's heart. And then 

Pealed forth his warcry o'er the glen, 

The mountain top, the rocks, the plain — 

A hero's challenge, fearless given, 
That dares release from living pain. 

To seek the solemn path to heaven. 
Then with the maiden to his breast 
He sprang, and o'er the mountain crest, 
Like lost stars falling in the night, 
They sank beyond the shuddering sight. 



SCIOTA III 



EPILOGUE. 

Oft' times on Sciota, when the wave ripples dance 

To the whippoorwill's song" in the evening's repose, 
And the setting sun flashes a vanishing' glance 

O'er the heavens that blush with tints of the rose, 
At a spot where vast rocks reach up to the clouds, 

And a river flows wildly beneath, in the gloom 
Of a vale, where the shadows, subduing, enshrouds 

All its weird surrounding with hue of the tomb. 
Come the youth of Miami, and soft — in the shade 

Of the sad willow tree that hangs weepingabove — 
The legends repeat of the chieftain and maid — 

How he battled for right, how they died for their 
love. 
Then they gather the flowers that spangle the breast 

Of the bountiful prairie, and strew on the wave 
A tribute, made holy by tears, to the rest 

Of the pure souls that sleep in their lone, watery 
grave. 



112 SCIOTA 

Then the moon, mountin.^ vip o'er the hills far away, 

Shoots a stray glance of light, the shadows among, 
And over the vale, scarce illumed by the ray, 

A soft, fragrant haze is mysteriously flung; 
Then the voice of the river is hushed, and the notes 

Of the night songsters cease, and robed in the haze 
The forms of the lovers in dim beauty floats. 

To fade when the gentle moon brightens her rays. 

And oft' when the hurricane rages about. 

And the deep thunders bellow and rattle on high ; 
'Mid the elements' warfare a loud, ringing shout 

Seems to roll o'er the mountain and float to the 
sky : 
And the shuddering braves in their wigwams around, 

As they list to the echoes o'erwhelm'd in affright. 
Again hear the Hurons' death cry in the sound, 

Again see their forms in a meteor's flight 
From the dim mountain top, where the storm speeds 
along, 

Down, down to the gulf where the wild torrent 
flows : 
Then the tempest slow dies to the vanishing song 

Of a requiem pealed o'er the lovers' repose. 

THE END. 



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